Posted on 06/11/2012 4:47:00 PM PDT by marktwain
SUBURBAN WEST PALM BEACH, FL (WFLX) - A man who forced a Suburban West Palm Beach couple at gunpoint into their home was shot and killed Sunday morning with his own gun according to investigators.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies are now investigating this shooting as a homicide after they said the victims managed to use the suspect's handgun to free themselves.
"At first I thought it was someone breaking into a car when I heard the glass break. Then I heard a scream so I knew it was bad. I tried to look out but I didn't see anything," said Dylan Jones, a resident who lives near the scene.
Investigators said a couple was walking home to their apartment on the 5100 block of Palm Hill Drive when a man with a gun ordered them inside.
PBSO said a struggle ensued ending when PBSO said one of the victims grabbed the suspects gun, where he then shot the suspect.
Investigators said the suspect ran from the scene, eventually collapsing on the sidewalk near the scene.
When fire rescue responded, the suspect was pronounced dead.
"If they don't have any training, you know put your hands up and say 'take it easy, take the money if you want or whatever,'" said Gustavo Larrucea, a self defense instructor at Warrior's Martial Arts Academy.
Larrucea said while it is possible to disarm a gunman, it takes years of practice to master the techniques.
"The real life is the real life. You can practice here 20 hours a day, whatever you want you know. But in the street, you have only once chance," said Juan Ayala of Warrior's Martial Arts Academy.
It is a chance nearby residents of the shooting said they understand their neighbor taking if what investigators said is true.
"You know you just got to stand your ground. I mean they tried to break into his house so I mean they're already in his house trying to rob him, so you got to do what you got to do. I mean I don't know how he got the gun if he did. Good job saving yourself," said Jones.
Some of the residents near the scene eluded to Florida's "Stand Your Ground Law."
Investigators at PBSO have not said if the law would be applied in this situation.
The names of those involved in the shooting have not been released.
>>Some of the residents near the scene eluded to Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law.”
<<
Where were they escaping to?
“Journalists” don’t seem to be able to use English anymore. Between the complete loss of the word “fewer” and the use of the word “data” as a collective noun I am amazed when they can put a single understandable sentence together.
I love stories with a happy ending.
Agreed—just give up the money. But if there was something more here (maybe the perp wasn’t interested in robbery, but something more sinister) perhaps the victims made the right move. In any case, they were VERY lucky.
I don’t think the term ‘victim’ really applies here.
God Bless these people, hope all turns out well.
Heavily Hispanic area overall, with a large concentration of blacks (~1/3) near the incident.
“Larrucea said while it is possible to disarm a gunman, it takes years of practice to master the techniques. “
yet the police learn it in 12 easy steps.
yes its dangerous, but if a criminal is forcing you into your home I’d consider it a viable option.
Apparently, literacy eluded the reporter.
Some of the residents near the scene eluded to Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law.”
Eluded?? Does anybody edit their copy any more?
This perp deserves a Darwin Award, for being killed by his own weapon.
Uh, no.
It’s amazing what passes for journalism nowdays. This story could have been written better by a third grader!
Why?
I read another story last week, where the “journalist” managed to write “allude” when saying how a suspect escaped the authorities. Unbelievable, and now this! I just hope it’s not the same writer who did both stories.
Larrucea said while it is possible to disarm a gunman, it takes years of practice to master the techniques.
HA! Sounds like this 'expert' just got shown up by one of the 'untrained'.
Disarming an attacker is a dangerous tactic, to be used in desperate circumstances.
Standing passive is often fatal. Fighting back gives you a chance to survive.
The taking of a human life is always a “Homicide.”
There are many forms/sudivisions of homicide....all the way from Premeditated First Degree Murder to Justifiable Homicide.
Sounds to me like this couple was assaulted/battered and in fear of their life to an intruder into their life. Justified???? You Bet!
homicide doesn’t mean murder, just killing. It may be ruled a justified homicide or something else.
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